Resting along the eastern edge of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Thiem is a large scale master plan consisting of 730,000 square meters. The programming includes residential, retail, office, hospitality, education and cultural components, all crowned with an observation tower to the far east of the site.
The design concept was inspired by naturally formed archipelagos, taking shape on the site through building orientation, ranging densities, and the folding forms of the buildings. Residential buildings that are closest to the river are of the lowest density and heights. Density then steadily increases toward the east, which culminates in an 86-story observation tower. The slow progression of building height also maximizes views, providing river or lake views to a majority of the site.
The master plan is also organized by a green spine that runs through the center of the site, with green nodes centrally located within the site’s blocks. The entire river edge has been preserved for public green space, including a leisure zone, sport and event zone, and nature preserve. A “water spine” feature accents this pedestrian oriented and prominently located area of the Thu Thiem master plan. Landscaping plays an important role in maintaining a design consistency throughout the site.
